The Christmas period can be a very exciting but often stressful time of the year for many autistic people. It can be a time with lots of change, social interaction and expectations. We have put together a brief list of resources that may prove helpful in making this festive period as special and stress free as possible for autistic people. 

Here are a variety of resources that give guidance, advice and ideas for the festive season:

Preparing for Christmas - National Autistic Society

Our website features a range of advice on preparing for Christmas, including some real-life stories and tips from autistic people and their families.

Preparing for the festive period – Scottish Autism

This article includes some advice on preparing for Christmas, as well as some information on how to approach the period after Christmas and the New Year.

3 tips for an autism-friendly Christmas - Jamie Knight

Jamie, an autistic adult, explains how he prepares for Christmas, including the need for quiet spaces and sensory considerations.

Coping with anxiety at Christmas - Emma Louise Bridge

In this blog, author Emma Louise Bridge, offers advice on how best to cope with anxiety at Christmas.

An autistic person’s guide to an autism-friendly Christmas – AutisticNotWeird

Chris Bonnello recommends not conforming to other people’s expectations of what should happen at Christmas. Chris also has advice on handling the sensory overload and changes in routine that may occur during the festive period.

Autism Christmas tips and tricks – Purple Ella

In this video Purple Ella gives some advice to autistic people and their relatives on how to manage some of the challenges of Christmas including gifts, food and socialising. 

Christmas Sensory Survival Kit - Sensory Integration Education

Sensory Integration Education (SIE) have put together a useful guide for preparing for and experiencing Christmas. It has been created using advice and experiences from autistic individuals, parents and carers and professionals.

Autism Tips for the Festive Season – Becoming Autism

Savannah from Becoming Autism shares her four tips on coping with the festive period as an autistic adult during Covid-19. Savannah also discusses how to communicate what you need to others.

An Autistic Friendly Christmas (Autistic Girls Network) – Cathy Wassell

In this blog, Cathy Wassell shares personal experience of why Christmas can be a difficult time for autistic people and offers suggestions of what could help.

Autism and Christmas (Neuroclastic) – Emma

In this blog, Emma explains why Christmas can be an overwhelming sensory experience for some autistic people, shares some tips on how to reduce sensory overwhelm, and advice on creating autism-friendly traditions.